Angular spread between two colour light (refraction)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in optics, specifically focusing on the refraction of light as it travels from crown glass into ethanol. The original poster seeks to determine the angular spread between red and violet light when passing through these two media, given specific indices of refraction and an angle of incidence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Snell's Law to find angles of refraction for red and violet light. There are attempts to clarify how to calculate the angles at the crown-ethanol interface and questions about the appropriate indices of refraction to use in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using Snell's Law and have outlined steps to find the angles of refraction. There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations, with some expressing uncertainty about the values to use for the indices of refraction and the resulting angles.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of understanding of the problem setup and calculations, while others are attempting to clarify the process and confirm the use of Snell's Law. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of the indices of refraction for both media involved.

8uhohs
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Hi, I know I've seen this question on this site before, but it didn't explain how to do it. I don't even know where to begin...

Q: Consider the optical interface between crown glass and ethanol.

b) White light travels from crown glass into ethanol. If the angle of incidence in crown
glass is 60.00 degrees, what is the angular spread between the red and violet parts of the visible spectrum in the ethanol? Illustrate your
answer with a light-ray diagram.

index of refraction:
red light in crown glass - n=1.520
violet light in crown glass - n=1.538
red light in ethanol - n=1.363
violet light in ethanol - n=1.376

I think I'm suppose to use Snell's Law...but don't know how. Thanks in advance for your help
 
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Angle of incidence is given. find angle of refraction for red and violet color in the crown glass.

These angle of refractions become angle of incidence for the crown-ethanol interface.

Now find the angle of refraction in the ethanol for red and violet by using

n1*sinθ1 = n2*sinθ2.

Τhe angular separation = θ2 - θ1.
 
rl.bhat said:
Angle of incidence is given. find angle of refraction for red and violet color in the crown glass.

These angle of refractions become angle of incidence for the crown-ethanol interface.

Now find the angle of refraction in the ethanol for red and violet by using

n1*sinθ1 = n2*sinθ2.

Τhe angular separation = θ2 - θ1.

do i find the angle of refraction for red and violet in the crown glass with n1*sinθ1 = n2*sinθ2 also?

here's my attempt..i think it's wrong though, because what I'm not sure w/ is what do i put for n2 in the equations...

crown glass: n=1.52
ethanol: n=1.36

red:
sinθ2=(n1*sinθ1)/n2
=(1.520)(sin60.0)/1.52(?)
θ2=60.0degrees

violet:
sinθ2=(n1*sinθ1)/n2
=(1.538)(sin60.0)/1.52
θ2=61.2degrees

then,

red:
sinθ2=(n1*sinθ1)/n2
=(1.52)(sin60.0)/1.36
θ2=75.4degrees

violet:
sinθ2=(n1*sinθ1)/n2
=(1.538)(sin61.2)/1.36
θ2=82.3degrees

Τhe angular separation = θ2 - θ1
=82.4-75.4
=7 degrees

Thank you for the help!~
 
In the first case light is traveling from air to crown glass.

So for red light sin60 = 1.52sinθ2.

In the second case 1.52sin(θ2) = 1.36sin(θ3)

Similarly try for violet light.
 

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